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Quick Fixes In The Kitchen – Part 1

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As much as we’d love to already be stuck knee-deep in a messy home improvement project we’ve had to get a few less exciting jobs out of the way first and cleaning the kitchen was top of my priority list. I don’t know about you but for me having a clean kitchen makes everything else that’s wrong with the apartment seem less of an issue.

I’d still really like a new kitchen but given that we’ve just spent a fortune on a new apartment and already have dozens of home improvement projects planned we obviously can’t afford to splurge on a new kitchen just now.

Kitchen - Little House On The Corner

It isn’t all bad though (or at least that’s what I’m trying to tell myself). By waiting we can get to know the apartment and the way we use it. We can get a feel for the flow and make a better decision on if actually moving the kitchen to the front of the apartment (you can read about the kitchen relocation options here) really does make sense for us.

Temporary Kitchen Updates

So, in an attempt to make the kitchen work better for us until we can afford to install the kitchen of our dreams we’ve been busy making a few changes aka. ripping out things that are yet to be replaced.

#1 Cleaning

As just mentioned cleaning the kitchen was probably the single most time-consuming part of our whole “get the kitchen to work for us” project. It wasn’t caked in dirt but it was grimy.

Cleaning Our Dirty Kitchen

There was just no way I would have been able to feel comfortable with a kitchen that I’d not bleached the life out of I’m sure that the cupboards are also a shade lighter now!

#2 Removed the grill & installed a coffee station

There was an old grill in the tall cupboard. It worked but I know that we would have never used it which is why we decided to remove it (when I say we I, of course, mean Jan because it was surprisingly heavy) and use the space as a kind of coffee/ hot drink station.

Remove Existing Gril

It’s really surprising how such a tiny change can have such a big impact on the way you use a space.

Temporary Kitchen Update - Coffee Station

#3 Removed cupboards & existing extractor (that didn’t work)

I hated the extractor fan. It totally dominated the whole kitchen and worst of all didn’t even work. In addition to that, the long tall cupboards on either side of the extractor fan cupboard were kind of pointless as I could only reach the bottom shelf.

Kitchen Makeover In Progress

We already have more than enough storage space in the kitchen (especially as there’s the added bonus of a pantry) which is why we decided that our best option was to rip out all of the upper cabinets on this side of the kitchen.

Temporary Kitchen Update - Coffee Station

We still need to patch up the wall, install a new extractor (we still had one in storage from our previous kitchen) and we’d also like to install a couple of shelves but it’s amazing how much more open the kitchen already feels!

At heart, I’m still someone who likes to hide as much junk as possible but as much as I hate to admit it, having just one or two shelves does give you a bit of flexibility as well as somewhere to display just a few curated bits and pieces which make the kitchen feel cosier than just a purely utilitarian space.

#4 Installed a washing machine

You may have already caught our post about some unexpected snags that we encountered, one of which was trying to get the washing machine to fit under the kitchen counter.

Installing A Washing Machine
Installing A Washing Machine
Installing A Washing Machine

In the end, it turned out to be really easy and we were able to just screw the top off and push it under the counter but we did have a few panic moments (given that we’d just already had to buy a new fridge and a new dishwasher) before we realised that it was such a simple solution.

#5 Replaced sink

I just couldn’t live with the existing sink. Apart from being cracked, it was also sooo disgusting and stained. There was just no way I would have been comfortable washing any dishes in it.

Replacing A Kitchen Sink
Replacing A Kitchen Sink

Now you’d think that with over 6 years of DIY experience where we’ve tackled things like replacing a garage roof, plastering rooms, sanding floorboards and building furniture we would be able to fit a new sink… erm, well, nope.

Replacing A Kitchen Sink
Replacing A Kitchen Sink

Okay, so we got there in the end but it turned out to be a bit of a nightmare. It took us 5 visits to the DIY store to finally get all of the parts we needed and the sink to fit.

Replacing A Kitchen Sink

The new sink was as different shape than the old which meant that we had to adjust the size of the hole for the sink to fit.

Replacing A Kitchen Sink

Then we realised that we couldn’t just connect it to the existing pipes as they were too short – so we bought new connections.

Replacing A Kitchen Sink
Replacing A Kitchen Sink

Then there was still a part missing so we bought more parts and when it was finally connected realised that it leaked.

Replacing A Kitchen Sink

Then, after yet another trip to the DIY store, where we bought some silicone everything now works fine (or at least it seems to be!). All of this wasn’t helped by the fact that we still had no light in the kitchen so had had to resort to this not so elegant lighting solution.

Replacing A Kitchen Sink

The sink may now be new but the tap is still the leaky old one. We’ve just ordered a new one so that’s next up on our quick kitchen fix list.

#6 Attached lighting

After finally purchasing a ridiculously long ladder to be able to reach our ceilings we were able to install a load of light bulbs throughout the apartment including the kitchen.

Kitchen Makeover In Progress

Yet again our kitchen threw us a bit of a curveball. We connected the light fitting the same way as in all other rooms, turned on the light switch and nothing. Given that this was the night before a bunch of Jan’s work colleagues were due to visit for a small housewarming it really wasn’t ideal.

Temporary Kitchen Makeover

In the end, it turned out that the light switch just wasn’t connected correctly and when we finally got round to checking the problem two weeks later it turned out to be a really easy problem to fix. Now, all we need to do is actually replace the bulb dangling from the ceiling with a lamp!

Temporary Kitchen Update

Overall I’m pretty sure you could say that we’re good at ripping out things but obviously slightly less good at actually putting things back together again!

Pop back for part two of our quick kitchen fixes (that turned out not to be quite so quick) where we’ll be sharing if we did ever actually manage to get the rest of the problems solved (spoiler: we have no idea if we will either!).

We’ll also share the result of our kitchen makeover poll!

PS. Want to see our finished kitchen? Here’s where we share our kitchen makeover reveal!

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Christine 10 Comments

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Comments

  1. Lucy says

    21/06/2017 at 13:05

    Your story with the sink pretty much sums up every ‘quick’ DIY we try to do together (!) – most recently replacing our kitchen tap which I think involved 4 trips to ScrewFix in one day, gah!

    I love that you’ve ripped out the old extractor fan and upper cupboards on that wall. Yes I’m biased as we did the same, but I totally agree with you from looking at the photos – the room looks bigger!

    I think all these temporary fixes are great, especially as they’re not breaking the bank. No point living with something you’re unhappy with, plus any kind of progress is always motivating :) X

    Reply
    • Christine says

      21/06/2017 at 15:34

      The most overused word in our home is “just”. It seems like we always want to just update something and it almost always takes longer than we think it will! Glad to hear we’re not the only ones!
      I love how your kitchen turned out and you’re totally right – any kind of progress is always motivating!
      Cx

      Reply
  2. Sarah Elsley says

    09/06/2017 at 19:38

    I agree that there are so many small changes you can make. However, with regards to a new kitchen, I bought mine on eBay!

    Not something I would normally do (ever). I don’t even like buying shoes off eBay, but the kitchen is in very very good condition, and came with a built-in fridge and freezer (separate units), a range cooker, a Belfast sink and things like the extractor fan for the cooker.

    It cost us £800 so no way near as expensive as buying new! Our old kitchen was terrible though so I don’t even think cleaning it, or putting a new sink in, could have saved it.

    https://dreamofhome.co.uk/2017/05/04/our-second-hand-kitchen-bargain/

    Reply
    • Christine says

      11/06/2017 at 15:08

      Oh wow! That’s got to be the bargain of the century, Sarah! It looks absolutely amazing!! It’s definitely something I’d consider now I’ve seen yours – thanks for sharing!
      Cx

      Reply
  3. Kimberly ~ Swoon Worthy says

    02/05/2017 at 16:19

    I’m so behind on all my blog reading so apologies for being so late to the party but I’m utterly in LOVE with your new place! I mean, I realise there’s some work for you guys to do (and really, it wouldn’t be much fun if there wasn’t, right?!) but WOW it’s spectacular! The high ceilings and plasterwork and big windows and good sizes and parquet flooring! It’s utterly fabulous! I’m super excited for your journey and best of luck with everything :) xxx

    Reply
    • Christine says

      03/05/2017 at 17:56

      Ohh thanks, Kimberly! We’re really excited about our new home, too. It still doesn’t feel real and I can’t wait to start getting some real projects started!
      Cx

      Reply
  4. Juan Sandiego says

    24/04/2017 at 15:01

    I’m just amazed by the location of the old radiator! But I guess it does free up the space below.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      24/04/2017 at 17:33

      So are we, Juan! It’s really bizarre but kind of fun and quirky at the same time.
      Cx

      Reply
  5. Lucy Wynne says

    24/04/2017 at 09:19

    Now you know it’s really your home, renovations and problems even small ones say “home” like nothing else does :-)
    I’m waiting to hear if I’ve been successful on a bid for a bungalow. They are as rare as “Hen’s teeth” and it really is exactly where I want to live! With a wet room (vital for my disability), and small garden my BIL could take care off. Waitings excruciating (as I know you remember) closing date 25/4 only been looking since Dec 16 and been warned it could take 3+ years eeeek.
    Btw, I love your kitchen tiles :-) going to try an updated version in my pottery class for when I do finally move :-)

    Reply
    • Christine says

      24/04/2017 at 17:26

      Oh, how exciting! We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for you! Waiting is definitely the hardest part of the process.
      Cx

      Reply
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